Attachment for feeding buttons to a sewing machine



@ec. 16, 1969 w. R. CONNER, JR 3,433,833

ATTACHMENT FOR FEEDING BUTTONS TO A SEWING MACHINE Filed Aug. 17, 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet l I Z mace/"2%, w MM/vii @WZZFU? Dec. 16, 1969 w. a. CONNER, JR 3,483,333

ATTACHMENT FOR FEEDING BUTTONS TO A SEWING MACHINE Filed Aug. 1'7, 196'? 2 Sheets-Sheet 2. E? 75 3% 1 4Z I I I United States Patent "ice 3,483,833 ATTACHMENT FOR FEEDING BUTTONS TO A SEWHNG MACHDIE William R. Conner, In, P.(). Box 34, Shelbyville, Tenn. 37160 Filed Aug. 17, 1967, Ser. No. 661,377 Int. Cl. D0510 3/22; B65h 3/00; B65g 59/06 US. Cl. 112-113 7 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The attachment includes a rotatable member for angaging and orienting buttons in a predetermined manner and a pivotally mounted arm for removing the buttons from the rotatable member and delivering them to a sewing position.

The present invention relates to a novel attachment adapted to be assembled with a sewing machine for delivering buttons from a source of supply to a work position.

Machines such as that disclosed in my copending ap plication Ser. No. 157,149, filed Dec. 5, 1961, now Patent No. 3,334,600 have heretofore been suggested for automatically feeding garments such as shirts past a sewing machine head for accomplishing the sewing of buttonholes and/or buttons. In order further to expedite rapid and economical production of such garments, the present invention has for an object the provision of an attachment for such a machine whereby buttons may be rapidly, automatically and accurately positioned for proper sewing to the garment.

A further important object of the present invention is to provide a novel button feeding attachment which may be easily and economically mounted in association with sewing machine heads currently in use as Well as in association with new machines.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a novel button feeding attachment of the above described type which is of relatively simple and economical and yet highly efiicient construction.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view showing an attachment incorporating features of the present invention mounted in association with a sewing machine head of known construction.

FIG. 2 is an enlarger fragmentary partial sectional view taken generally along line 2-2 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along line 33 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken generally along line 4-4 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary view taken along line 5-5 in FIG. 4; and

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along line 66 in FIG. 5.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings wherein like parts are designated by the same numerals throughout the various figures, an attachment 10 incorporating features of the present invention is shown in FIG. 1 in assembled relationship with a sewing machine 12. The sewing machine is of known construction and may be assembled with an apparatus for intermittently feeding a garment such as a shirt. Such an apparatus is disclosed in my above mentioned copending application. It is contemplated that the button sewing machine disclosed herein may be substituted for the buttonhole sewing machine which is particularly referred to in the aforementioned 3,483,833 Patented Dec. 16, 1969 application and that the same control means and circuitry disclosed in said application may be utilized for controlling and actuating the button sewing machine 12 in timed relationship with the garment feeding apparatus. Thus, the disclosure of the garment feeding apparatus and the control circuitry for the installation need not be repeated herein.

As previously indicated, the sewing machine 12 is of known construction and need not be described in detail. Thus, it sufiices to say that the machine comprises a frame 14 having a table portion 16 providing a button sewing work station 18. A button clamping mechanism 20 also of known construction is assembled with the sewing machine and is adapted to be actuated in the manner described below for clamping a button to be sewn by the needle means 22 of the machine.

The button clamping mechanism is of commercially available construction and need not be described in detail. It suffices to state that the mechanism comprises jaw members 24 and 26 connected with and supported by an actuating linkage and/ or cam means 28 for movement between a closed button clamping position shown in FIG. 3 and a spread apart or open button receiving position. The means 28 is in turn supported by a frame member 30 and is connected to and adapted to be actuated by piston rod 32 extending from an air cylinder 34.

The attachment 10 comprises a frame 36 which is secured directly to the frame 14 of the sewing machine. The frame 36 has an upstanding member 38 on which a hopper 40 is mounted for containing a supply of buttons 42. The hopper has a discharge opening 44 in a lower wall thereof. As shown in FIG. 2, the hopper is mounted so that its axis is inclined and a rotatable plate 46 carrying brushes 48 is disposed within the hopper for agitating the mass of buttons so as to cause them to enter the discharge opening. An electric motor 50 is mounted on the hopper for driving the rotatable plate 46.

A chute or guide 52 is supported by a bracket 53 on the attachment frame 36. The chute registers with the discharge opening 44 of the hopper for receiving the buttons and directing them downwardly to a first work station 54 at which the buttons are oriented in the desired manner. In the embodiment shown, the chute or guide 52 comprises a channel member 56 over which is secured a transparent plastic cover strip 58. A lower edge 60 of the cover terminates above the orienting station so as to expose the button. Resilient spring elements 62 and 64 are secured to a lower end portion of the channel member for initially positioning a button at the orienting station 54 and for thereafter permitting the button to be withdrawn from the station in the manner to be described.

A mechanism 66 is fixed to the lower end of the guide or chute at the station 54 for engaging and turning a button in order to position the holes of the button in a particular manner. This mechanism comprises a pad 68 of rubber or other suitable friction material which projects through a suitable opening 70 in the side of the track member 56 for frictionally engaging a button. The pad is mounted on one end of a rotatable shaft 72 which has a gear 73 fixed to its opposite end. This gear is engaged by a rack 74 which is secured to and is reciprocably actuated by a piston rod 76 which in turn is actuated by an air cylinder 78. The arrangement is such that upon movement of the rack, the pad 68 is rotated for frictionally driving and turning a button to position the buttonholes in the desired manner.

In order to transfer the buttons from the orienting station 54 to the sewing station 18, a generally L-shaped arm 80 is mounted for movement between the upper solid line position shown in FIG. 4 and the lower broken line position shown in FIG. 4. More specifically, the arm 3 which has angularly disposed end portions 82 and 84 is mounted by pivot pin 86 to a bracket 88 carried on the outer end of another arm 90 which in turn is secured to a hub portion of the gear 92. The gear 92 is rotatably supported by a hollow shaft 94 which in turn is carried by a bracket portion 96 of the attachment frame 36.

In order to swing the arm 80 between its upper and lower positions, a rack 98 engages the gear 92 as shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5. This rack is fixed to an outer end of a reciprocable piston rod 100 which extends into and is actuated by an air cylinder 102.

The arm 80 carries a pair of pins 104 on its end portion 82 which provides a transfer element. These pins are adapted to register with and enter into the holes in the buttons for retaining the buttons on the arm during movement between the orienting and the sewing positions. While it has been indicated that the pair of the pins 104 is provided, it is to be understood that the number and arrangement of the pins may be varied in accordance with the number and arrangement of the holes in the buttons.

As previously indicated, the arm 80 is pivotally supported by pin 86 on the arm 90. A spring 106 is connected between the arm portion 84 and a finger 108 secured to the arm 90 for yieldably biasing the arm 80 in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 3. In other words, the spring 106 biases the L-shaped arm 80 so as to urge the end position or transfer element 82 and the pins 104 thereon toward engagement with a button located at the orienting station 54. The arrangement is such that if the pins do not immediately align themselves with the buttonholes, the button is pressed against the previously mentioned rotatable friction pad 68 which serves to turn the button until the holes are aligned with the pins. The spring action then causes the pins to enter the buttonholes so that the button is interconnected with the arm portion 82 suffciently to enable the button to be pulled downwardly through the springs or gate elements 62 and 64 for advancement to the sewing station.

While the L-shaped arm is resiliently biased by the spring 106 for engagement with the button in the manner just described, a push rod 110 extends through the hollow shaft 94 for engaging the arm portion 84 and shifting the L-shaped arm to the broken line position shown in FIG. 3. In this position, the pins 104 will clear the lowermost button during return movement of the L-shaped arm from the lower or sewing position to the upper or orienting position. Furthermore, the push rod is utilized for pivoting the L-shaped arm for disengaging the pins 104 from a button which has been delivered to and engaged and retained by the button clamp at the sewing station. The push rod 110 is connected to and actuated by a piston 112 slidably disposed in an air cylinder 114. A spring 116 is disposed between the piston and the hollow shaft 94 as shown best in FIG. 6 for urging the push rod 110 to its retracted position. The air cylinder 114 is actuated as described below for advancing the piston and the push rod 110 in the desired timed relationship with the movement of the arm 80 between the orienting and sewing positions.

The installation is provided with a suitable source of air under pressure and electrical circuitry for actuating the previously described air cylinders in timed relationship with each other and with the operation of the sewing machine 12. It will be appreciated that such control circuitry may be readily modified in accordance with the needs of a particular installation. In the embodiment shown, it is contemplated that all of the previously mentioned air cylinders are single acting cylinders incorporating springs such as the spring 116 of the cylinder 114 for returning their respective pistons.

Each of the air cylinders is connected with a solenoid actuated air control valve which in turn is connected with a source of air under pressure. Thus, as shown in FIG. 1, cylinder 34 is connected by conduit 118 to a two-position solenoid actuated valve 120 having an inlet connected to a suitable source of air under pressure by a conduit 122. Cylinder 78 is similarly connected by a conduit 124 with a two-position solenoid actuated air valve 126 having its inlet connected by conduit 128 to the source of air under pressure. Another two-position solenoid actuated air valve 130 is connected by conduit 132 to air cylinder 102, and by conduit 134 to the source of air under pressure, and still another two position solenoid actuated valve 136 is connected by conduits 138 and 140 to the cylinder 114 and the source of air under pressure respectively.

The solenoids of the air valve are respectively connected by electrical cables 142, 144, 146, and 148 with a relay panel 150. The relay panel is in turn connected by wires 152 with a switch 154 adapted to be mounted in association with the sewing machine head and to be actuated at a predetermined time by an element, of the sewing machine. For example, the switch 154 may be mounted and actuated in substantially the same manner as the switch 276 is actuated by an element of the sewing ma chine as disclosed in my aforementioned copending application.

The connection of the switch 154 and the electrical circuitry of the relay panel are such that the apparatus functions in the following manner. Assuming that a garment is properly positioned as, for example, by means of the garment positioning and feeding apparatus disclosed in my aforementioned copending application, an operator actuates a start switch (not shown) of the sewing machine and the machine closes the switch 154 for energizing the relay panel 150. When this occurs, the solenoid valve 120 is actuated to open the button clamp 20 so that it is in condition to receive a button. In addition, the solenoid valve 126 is actuated for operating the cylinder 78 for shifting the rack 74 and rotating the button orienting pad 68. Simultaneously, the solenoid valve 136 is positioned to vent the cylinder 114 to permit retraction of the push rod 110 and thus to permit the spring 106 to urge the pins 104 on the outer end portion 82 of the lever arm 80 against the buttons. As previously described, the rotation of the lowermost button under these conditions permits the pins to enter the buttonholes so that the button is suitably connected with the arm portion 82 for transportation to the lower or sewing position.

After a suitable short time delay which permits the aforementioned orientation of the lowermost button and the entry of the pins 104 into the buttonholes, the solenoid valve 130 is actuated for operating the cylinder 102 to extend the rack 98 and thus swing the arm 80 downwardly for delivering the button to the clamp. It will be noted that this action causes the arm portion 80 and the button thereon to move along an arcuate path of travel so that centrifugal force serves to aid in retaining the button on the arm.

Upon delivery of the button to the clamp, the solenoid valve 120 is operated for actuating the cylinder 34 to cause the clamp to grip the button. Then the valve 136 is operated for directing air under pressure to the cylinder 114 so as to advance the push rod 110 and pivot the arm 80 about the pin 86 for retracting the pins 104 from the buttonholes. When the pins are disengaged from the button, the cylinder 102 is operated for returning the arm 80 from its lower position to the orienting station and in the meantime the rack associated with the cylinder 78 has been returned to its starting position. Upon withdrawal of the arm 80 from the button, the sewing machine 12 is actuated to sew the button to the garment, and upon the completion of the sewing operation, the cycle is repeated.

' While a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been shown and described herein, it is obvious that many structural details may be changed without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

The invention is claimed as follows:

1. A mechanism for feeding articles to a work station comprising means for directing articles successively to an orienting station, means in said orienting station for locating said articles in a predetermined manner, a transfer element mounted for movement along an arcuate path of travel from said orienting station to said Work station, means on said element for engaging an article at said orientating station and retaining the article with said element, and means for shifting said element between said stations, said means for engaging and retaining said article comprising pin means projecting from said element for engagement with a part of said article, said orienting means comprising means for rotating said article to move said part into registration with said pin means and said rotatable means comprising a friction member disposed at said orienting station oppositely from said element for frictionally engaging and rotating an article.

2. A mechanism, as defined in claim 1, which includes means biasing said element toward said article for insuring engagement of the pin means with said part of the article, and means for shifting said element laterally of the article for disengaging said pin means from the article at said work station and for preventing interference of the pin means with an article at the orienting station during movement of the element from the work station to the orienting station.

3. A mechanism, as defined in claim 2, comprising means for actuating said orienting means, said means for shifting the element between said stations and said means for shifting the element laterally of the article in timed relationship with each other.

4. An attachment for a button sewing machine having releasable button clamping means at a Work station for holding a button during a sewing operation, said attachment comprising support means mountable on the sewing machine, means on said support means at an orienting station for locating a button with holes of the button positioned in a predetermined manner, a transfer element mounted on said support means for movement along an arcuate path of travel from said orienting station to said work station for delivering a button to said releasable clamping means, means for shifting said element between said stations, a shaft mounted on said support means on an axis concentric with said path of travel, and a member on said shaft rotatable around and extending outwardly from said axis, said element being connected to and movable with an outer end portion of said member.

5. An attachment, as defined in claim 4, which includes projecting means on said element for engaging and retaining a button, means pivotally connecting said element to said member, means for biasing said element for engaging said projecting means against a button at said orienting station, and means for pivoting said element for disengaging the projecting means from the button upon delivery of the button to said clamping means.

6. An attachment, as defined in claim 5, which includes a hopper on said support means for containing a supply of buttons, guide means for delivering successive buttons from said hopper to said orienting station, gate means on said guide means for stopping successive buttons at said orienting station, said orienting means comprising a rotatable friction member disposed at said orienting station for frictionally engaging and rotating a button for positioning holes of the button in registration with said projecting means on said element.

7. An attachments, as defined in claim 6, which includes means for actuating said button clamping means, said rotatable friction member, and said element in timed relationship.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,207,077 7/1940 Stott 1121 13 3,175,703 3/1965 Young 112113 X 3,246,618 4/1966 Johnson et a1 112110 3,382,824 5/1968 Bronfman 112113 MERVIN STEIN, Primary Examiner G. V. LARKIN, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 

